Votes Against Ensuring that No Federal Funding Could be Used to Pay for Abortions

BRYAN, TX – Businessman and conservative congressional candidate Bill Flores today criticized the vote of incumbent Congressman Chet Edwards (D-TX) during last night's passage of the government takeover of health care. Edwards voted against a Motion to Recommit that would have ensured that federal funding could not be used to pay for abortions. The Motion failed 199-232.

"Yesterday, Chet Edwards showed his true colors," said Flores. "Given a chance to protect innocent life and reaffirm the Hyde amendment, a provision that has been the law of the land since 1976 and provides that federal funding cannot be used to pay for abortions, Chet voted against this sensible amendment.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had written to Members of Congress on March 20 that the Hyde amendment must be included in the final health care bill. The organization of Bishops opposed the "morally unacceptable" abortion language in the Senate-passed bill because it contained "no relevant provision to prevent the direct use of federal funds for elective abortions."

Instead of including the Hyde amendment in the health care bill, the Obama administration cut a deal with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congress to sign an Executive Order reaffirming the Hyde amendment, but, as Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) said, "An executive order does not trump statute. The courts will look to the legislative statute to interpret the law."

Flores has consistently stated that he is pro life and believes that every life has a soul, even the unborn, that must be protected. Flores has been endorsed by Concerned Women for America PAC, a national organization committed to pro life and pro family policies.

Recently the Texas Right to Life PAC endorsed Flores for the primary runoff and the general election, the first time they have done so in this District since 2004.

At the time, Texas Right to Life President Dr. Joseph Graham said, "Texas Right to Life is proud to endorse Bill Flores for Congress. We are confident that Bill will be a steadfast advocate for the Right to Life in Congress. For far too long, Chet Edwards has voted one way in Congress while promising a different way in Texas. We believe Bill is the right person to return Central Texas' Pro-Life values to Washington. Please join us in supporting Bill for Congress."

"Chet Edwards has attempted to fool Texans into believing that he is Pro Life to win their votes," said Flores. "Last night, we witnessed a clear, convincing example of Chet's Pro Choice beliefs. We will remind Texans about his views on this issue, along with his vote against prohibiting partial birth abortion in 2003. The citizens of the 17th District will know that in November they will have only one choice if they want a representative that is committed to protecting innocent life and that choice is me."